Don Stanford

Don Carlton Stanford, a cherished son of Alamance County, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 5, 2026, at the AuthoraCare Hospice Home of Alamance County, a place that held deep meaning for him, as it was his childhood home, built by his father. He was surrounded by the warmth and care of those who treasured him.

Born on June 24, 1936, to Troy Lyman Stanford and Alice Homewood Stanford, Don was a gentle and kind soul, whose life was a testament to the love and dedication he showed to his family and passions. Predeceased by his beloved parents and his sister, Sue Harper Stanford, Don is survived by his nieces, Stacy Stowe Schick and her husband, John-Paul, and Susan Stowe Krause and her husband, Jason. He also leaves behind a great-niece, Grace Caroline Krause, and great-nephews Xander Stowe Schick, Jack Stowe Krause, and Sebastian Stowe Schick, who each brought a lot of joy to his later years.

Don's formative years in Burlington, NC, were marked by his graduation from Williams High School. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in 1958 from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Professionally, he worked as a CPA, spending the majority of his years working at his alma mater’s Financial Aid and General Accounting offices, from which he retired full of Tar Heel pride.

A man of faith and fascinated by history, Don was an active member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Burlington. His love for history was evident through his membership in the Alamance Battleground Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and Camp 813 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Don’s passion for genealogy was boundless, and he invested much of his time in preserving the gravesites of Revolutionary and Civil War patriots in Alamance County. In 2026, he was honored by SCV Camp 813 for his many years of annually flagging the graves of Confederate soldiers at Stoners Cemetery. He also served as a member of the Stoners Cemetery Preservation Committee, as well as the Alamance County Historical Association.

Gardening and landscaping were not just hobbies for Don; they were his life-long love. His yard was a kaleidoscope of daylilies, mums, azaleas, Japanese maples, and countless other flowers and shrubs. There’s no better testament to his green thumb and dedication to nature's beauty than his dozens of daylily types, many of which he crossbred. His gentle spirit and quiet demeanor were apparent to all who knew him, and he shared his love for the earth and its history with everyone he met.

In honor of Don's life and his love for nature, the family kindly suggests donations to The North Carolina Botanical Garden at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (https://ncbg.unc.edu/support/donate/). The donations will ensure that his legacy continues to bloom for generations to come.

The family expresses their deep and sincere gratitude to the caregivers at the AuthoraCare Hospice House of Alamance County for their compassionate care and kindness during Don's final days. Per his wishes, a private funeral ceremony will be held at Pine Hill Cemetery in Burlington to honor and celebrate his life.

Don Stanford's life was a vibrant tapestry of love, dedication, and quiet strength. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him, but the gardens he nurtured and the history he preserved will continue to remind us of his remarkable life for decades to come.

You may send condolences to the family online at www.lowefuneralhome.com.